Oil Spill Causing Environmental Damage

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has led to major concerns for the environment with around 5000 barrels of oil being leaked into the Gulf everyday. This is a major ecological catastrophe considering that this accident will affect the lives of millions of water inhabitants. Another major matter of concern is that this time of the year is the peak time for migration and nesting for birds and spawning of fishes. The oil spill has thus resulted in major ecological imbalance.

In the year 1989, 250,000 birds were killed due to the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska which messed up the ecological system so badly that they are trying to cope up with the accident till date. On the contrary, the Shetland spill from the oil takers, Braer was supposed to entirely wipe out the bird population resulted in little or no damage.

The Deepwater Horizon rig which is leased by BP claims that this oil spill might be the most significant oil spills in the history of the US. Ignoring the monetary loss, the damage this oil spill has caused to the marine life is immense. In addition, the fact that the only way they can get rid of the oil from the water is by burning the oil not only affects the water system but majorly affects the ozone layer too. All these unfortunate accidents call for a stronger and much more secure functioning to prevent such catastrophic accidents. It is equally important to come up with systems and technologies that can easily contain the oil in case of oil spill. It is said that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has reached the coast of Mississippi that poses a major risk for the marine species, as there are plenty of fish nurseries and is also one of the main suppliers of sea food.

With Obama recently opening up huge areas for exploration of oil around the US coast, this accident seems to have hit them right in the gut questioning the security and containment issues. BP and the US navy trying their level best to contain the oil and prevent it from touching the shore using whatever available resources and technology they can find.

The coastal countries therefore face major challenges when it comes to protecting the marine life as the regular sea trading and oil drilling pose major risks of leaking and disrupting the marine life.

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